President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has said that it was the negligence of the state institutes that led to the rape of a two-year-old in Gaaf Alifu Atoll Kanduhulhudhoo.

The President made the statement in his annual address under Article 84 at the opening of the parliament.

He said that we have spent a month or so with bitter feeling after the rape of a two-year-old by the child’s father and grandfather was exposed.

President Solih said that the incident took place due to the negligence of some state institutes and whenever such a case is prolonged without justice, it empowers the culprits.

With the new Children’s Rights Act in effect from 20 February, President Solih said that state can better protect children from negligence and sexual abuse. He said that the bill was passed after 28 years of debate by the previous governments.